The Second Chance Convenience Store by Kim Ho-yeon

The Second Chance Convenience Store is a book I listened to this week on audio, and it was such a heart-warming book, I am so glad that I stumbled across it. The book was narrated by Jennifer Kim, who made this book truly delightful to listen to. She is definitely someone I would listen to again just because she really captured the heart of this story.

This book is at its core about one character, Dok-go. He is homeless and living in Seoul Station, just trying to get by. But he has lost part of his memory, and he doesn’t remember enough of his past to find his way back home. One day, a convenience store owner, Mrs. Yeom is robbed. Dok-go helps save her in this situation, acting quickly to stop the robbery from being carried out.

Mrs. Yeom has been struggling to keep her convenience store afloat, keeping part time workers is challenging and she doesn’t want to close her store because she knows people depend on her for a job. When Dok-go helps her, she offers him the night shift at her store. It’s a hard to fill position, and she wants to help him. Dok-go isn’t sure he will be good at it, but he ends up being more incredible than either of them could have imagined.

What unfolds is a series of shorter stories where Dok-go interacts with the various indivuduals working or shopping at the store. Despite his differences, Dok-go seems to find a way to connect with people and help them solve their problems. From a young woman trying to find her place in the world, to a burned out father trying to find peace and a playwright trying to find inspiration, Dok-go’s interactions with each of these people changes their lives and his forever.

These small stories are heartwarming and beautiful. They remind you as a reader of the humanity and kindness that can truly exist in the world. Especially now when the state of the world feels so bleak, it’s refreshing to read a story about people connecting with each other and being kind. The world needs more people like Dok-go.

All the while, I couldn’t help but wonder who Dok-go was and where he would end up. This is a truly delightful novel, and I think it is such a hopeful book.